We have developed a novel hydrogel utilizing alternating amphiphilic copolymers (AAP) that not only possesses impressive self-healing capabilities, toughness, and high stretchability but also stands out for its simplicity and cost-effectiveness in production. The unique mechanical and biocompatible attributes of this hydrogel hold substantial promise for a wide range of applications, including tissue engineering, drug delivery, biosensing, and soft robotics. Particularly noteworthy is its potential impact on wound healing, where hydrogels, due to their large water content, biocompatibility, and favorable interaction with cells and tissues, play a crucial role in maintaining a moist wound environment and promoting tissue regeneration.

We hypothesize that the macroscopic properties of the hydrogel, such as self-healing and high stretchability, are intricately linked to microscopic processes involving the reconfiguration and stretching of AAP chains. In this GNeuS project we plan to employ Time-Resolved Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (TR-SANS) to study the equilibrium exchange kinetics of polymeric micelles. This technique will provide insights into the dynamic evolution of micelle structures over time. Temperature-dependent measurements will complement this by contributing to our understanding of the activation energy involved in the exchange process. Additionally, Rheo-SANS will be employed to study the mechanical properties of the hydrogel, providing crucial information about its behavior under different stress conditions.